Monthly Archives: April 2022

Matthew 10- Exclusive Jesus?

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Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. Matthew 10:34-36

Again we see a continual theme with the modern day Church as we analyze scripture, the modern day Lukewarm Christianity of today is not Biblical. Today we have many Churches and many Christians promoting that Jesus is just all about love and acceptance, that Christ will just love you as you are and everybody is a Child of God. All these statements can’t be further from the truth. 

As we look at the words of Jesus “ I didn’t come to send peace on Earth, but a sword” So what is Jesus talking about here? Jesus came to deliver us from our sins, however there is a transformation that takes place when becoming Born Again. Just as Christ had died for our sins, our old self dies with our sins. Just as Christ is Risen defeating sin and death, we are Risen as a new creation in Christ. We don’t stay dead in our sins, we are now alive in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2, Romans 6, John 3)

The sword is to divide the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25), divide the wheat and the tares (Matthew 25), everybody doesn’t go to Heaven, in fact Jesus said very few will actually find the narrow path to Heaven. (Matthew 7) The transformation will cause division among people, among families, among communities, even among countries. The world hates the real Jesus and will hate his sheep (John 10) this is the sword of division, Jesus Christ

He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. Matthew 10:37-38

Jesus paid for our salvation with a major price, you were bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20) If you belong to Christ you are no longer of yourself, you belong to Christ. As Jesus said “Anyone who doesn’t take up their cross and follow me, is not worthy of me” Taking up your cross is not an easy walk, it’s a walk full of persecution, mockery, discrimination. Why? Because the world hates the real Jesus and crucified him. Don’t expect to be treated better than your Master, you were bought with a price

So as a Born Again Christian, don’t expect rainbows and butterflies, expect the sword that will divide you , that will set you apart from the evil world (Romans 12:2) This is a battle for your soul, salvation is only found in Jesus Christ alone , Amen!

Matthew 10- Are You Ashamed of Jesus?

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Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 10:32-33

In today’s world, over 2 billion people identify as a “Christian”, meaning follower of Christ. That sounds good on paper, but in reality where are these people? Why is there so much evil and injustice in the world today when almost a third of the world’s population is supposed to be filled with the Holy Spirit? There are only a few logical reasons for this, however one main problem is most are “Closet Christians”

There are alot of people who may belong to a Church and may even be active, but outside the walls of the congregation they don’t speak a word about the gospel of Jesus Christ. They live just as the world lives. The Greek word that is often translated as Church is “Ekklessia” it means called out , set apart, group of believers. If you are Born Again and part of Christ’s Church, you are not to be conformed with the world, you are supposed to be Set Apart. (Romans 12:2) However most Churches have turned into Country Clubs or a Social Group, they are not the Body of Christ looking to build God’s Kingdom by fulfilling the Great Commision (Matthew 28:19)

Jesus said “If you confess me before others , I will confess you before my Father in Heaven” Are you confessing Christ to everyone you know? Are you confessing Christ to your family or neighbors? Does anyone in your community even know you are a Christian? I know alot of “Christians” will say “I don’t want to be a Jesus freak”, “I don’t want to be known as a Holy Roller” Jesus died for the penalty of your sins, and you can’t even profess him as your Lord before others?

There has to be a relationship, often when people get married or engaged, what do they do? They tell everyone about it, they post an announcement on social media or the newspaper. However, how many people tell everyone Jesus is their Lord and Savior? Some would say, this is not the same, Jesus said “Depart from me , I never knew you “ (Matthew 7:23) The Greek word for Knew is “Ginosko” meaning a relationship. Jesus wants a relationship with You, not a religion

Jesus said “Whoever denies me before others, I will deny them before My Father in Heaven” If you’re not telling people about your Jesus, then you’re denying him. Again the analogy of marriage, if someone just got married, you would expect them to tell you about it. If they didn’t talk about their new spouse, you would probably think that’s strange. Well if somebody really believes Jesus is their Lord and never talks about Him, that would be pretty strange. Is Jesus really your Lord? Do you really believe who Jesus says he is?

Examine your relationship with Christ, profess The Lord before others. Tell others what Jesus has done for your life. If your neighbors were asked, would they identify you as a Christian? Take comfort in knowing our Lord is the Mediator between us and our Heavenly Father, Amen!

Luke 19- Palm Sunday

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And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither. And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him. And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them. And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt? Luke 19:29-33

The event we are looking at today is known as “Palm Sunday” , the day when The Lord, The Messiah, rolled through Jerusalem fulfilling prophecy, setting up the events leading to the death and resurrection of Jesus. The celebration would end very quickly, as the same people shouting “Hosanna” will be the same people a few days later yelling “Crucify Him” as Israel rejects their Messiah because he’s not what they wanted in their own minds

The first prophecy we see fulfilled is Jesus rode in Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling the Messianic prophecy of Zechariah 9, why is this significant? Because Christ came in Peace because He is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) Christ came to save the sinners and give them eternal life. This isn’t what Israel wanted, as they wanted a ruthless military warrior that would wipe out the Roman Empire and reestablish the glory of Israel

And they said, The Lord hath need of him.And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon. And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way. And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; Luke 19:34-37

The crowds were rejoicing at the coming of their King, they laid down Palm branches (hence the name Palm Sunday) and they laid down their robes or coats in reverence to the Messiah. Everyone was praising God, but it would only last for a short time. The religious leaders and the Romans got nervous, who is this new King that everyone was shouting about? On this day Jesus became a threat to the religious and political establishments

Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. Luke 19:38-40

Hosanna, Blessed be the King the comes in the name of The Lord, this was the battle cry and this was the fulfillment of another Messianic prophecy Psalm 118. This was confirmation, that Jesus is The Christ. But the religious leaders, who should have known who Jesus is better than anyone, rebuked Jesus and told him to shut these people up. Christ replied “Even the stones would cry out” why? Because Jesus is the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth (John 1) Not only is Jesus the Messiah, He is God in the flesh, here on Earth, to save his own creation

Palm Sunday is an event of past, present , and future ramifications. One day The Lord will return again and we will be waving our Palm Branches , shouting Hosanna (Revelation 7) Amen!

Matthew 10 -Fear God

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Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:26-28

We live in a Church age where to “Fear God” is not considered “Christian”. We only want a “loving” God, a God who will accept anyone or anything, this is not Biblical. One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is to learn the Fear of God (Isaiah 11: 2) however we must also understand the Biblical understanding of “Fear” as it’s not the same as a worldly fear.

The original Greek word for Fear in the New Testament is “phobeisthe” the meaning of this word is not only to be frightened or alarmed, but also to revere or be in awe of. It’s to have a love and respect for God and to want to please Him. Just as you would love and respect a parent or guardian, you should want to please God, as Jesus said the greatest commandment is to “Love the Lord God with all your heart, soul, and mind” (Matthew 22:37)

But modern day Christianity has no Fear or true Love of God, we want God to conform to our ways and not conform to God’s ways. Church leaders have adapted this new theology to please the masses in fear of not being popular or labeled. But Jesus said “Don’t fear those who can just kill the body” Meaning don’t fear people are going to persecute you or possibly even kill you for your faith, “Fear Him who is able to destroy both body and soul in Hell” Fear God because He is the One who holds your life in his hands, the power to destroy both Body and Soul, not just the physical body.

Of course our modern day Christianity teaches there is no soul, they say we just have a body, so what do you have to fear? Don’t be deceived, you are a living soul and after your body dies , you will live on either in Heaven or Hell. The choice is yours where you want to spend eternity, Love God or Hate God, that is your simple choice, there is no in between. 

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 29-31

Now some of you might say, this teaching is too harsh and unloving. Notice what Jesus says “God knows every hair on your head” God loves you immensely and has created you in His image. However you have the choice to reject Him if you want, however there are consequences for your choices, there are wages for your sin!(Romans 3:23) You can’t love sin and the world and also love God, they are in complete opposition of one another, you must hate your sin and cling to Christ for salvation

Fear God is an unpopular motto in today’s world, but it’s advise that will save your soul from eternal damnation. Do you truly Love God with all your heart, all your mind, and all your soul? Or do you just love the idea of Heaven? There is no Paradise without God Almighty, if you don’t love God you won’t love Heaven. Fear God in Jesus name, Amen!